Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American sin… Read Full Bio ↴Elvis Aaron Presley (January 8, 1935 – August 16, 1977) was an American singer and actor. Regarded as one of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, he is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King".

Presley was born in Tupelo, Mississippi, and relocated to Memphis, Tennessee, with his family when he was 13 years old. His music career began there in 1954, recording at Sun Records with producer Sam Phillips, who wanted to bring the sound of African American music to a wider audience. Accompanied by guitarist Scotty Moore and bassist Bill Black, Presley was a pioneer of rockabilly, an uptempo, backbeat-driven fusion of country music and rhythm and blues. In 1955, drummer D. J. Fontana joined to complete the lineup of Presley's classic quartet and RCA Victor acquired his contract in a deal arranged by Colonel Tom Parker, who would manage the singer for more than two decades. Presley's first RCA single, "Heartbreak Hotel", was released in January 1956 and became a number one hit in the United States. With a series of successful network television appearances and chart-topping records, he became the leading figure of the newly popular sound of rock and roll. His energized interpretations of songs and sexually provocative performance style, combined with a singularly potent mix of influences across color lines during a transformative era in race relations, made him enormously popular—and controversial.

In November 1956, Presley made his film debut in Love Me Tender. Drafted into military service in 1958, Presley relaunched his recording career two years later with some of his most commercially successful work. He held few concerts however, and guided by Parker, proceeded to devote much of the 1960s to making Hollywood movies and soundtrack albums, most of them critically derided. In 1968, following a seven-year break from live performances, he returned to the stage in the acclaimed television comeback special Elvis, which led to an extended Las Vegas concert residency and a string of highly profitable tours. In 1973, Presley gave the first concert by a solo artist to be broadcast around the world, Aloha from Hawaii. Years of prescription drug abuse severely compromised his health, and he died suddenly in 1977 at his Graceland estate, just 42 years of age.

Presley is one of the most celebrated and influential musicians of the 20th century. Commercially successful in many genres, including pop, country, blues, and gospel, he is the best-selling solo artist in the history of recorded music. He won three competitive Grammys, received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award at age 36, and has been inducted into multiple music halls of fame.

Long Tall Sally
Elvis Presley Lyrics

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Gonna tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John
He claim he got the misery but he's havin' lots of fun, oh baby
Yea-a-ah, baby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight

Well, long tall Sally she's built for speed
She got everything that uncle John need, oh baby

Yea-a-ah, baby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight

Well, I saw Uncle John with bald-headed Sally
He saw Aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley, oh baby
Yea-a-ah, baby
Oh, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight

Well, long tall Sally she's built sweet
She got everything that uncle John need, oh baby
Yea-a-ah, baby
Ooh, ooh, ooh, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight

You know, I saw Uncle John with bald-headed Sally
He saw Aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley, oh baby
Yea-a-ah, baby
Oh, baby
Havin' me some fun tonight, go!

I wanna have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight
Have some fun tonight

Everything's all right
Have some fun, havin' some fun tonight

Overall Meaning

The lyrics to Elvis Presley's song "Long Tall Sally" tell a story about a man named Uncle John, who claims to be unhappy but is actually having fun. The singer suggests that he plans to tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John's behavior. The lyrics also discuss a woman named Long Tall Sally, who is described as being built for speed and having everything Uncle John needs. The song ends with the singer expressing a desire to have some fun.

The song's lyrics can be interpreted in a few different ways. It is possible to view the lyrics as celebrating rebellion against societal norms and expectations. The singer may see Uncle John's behavior as a way of rejecting conformity and embracing a more wild and enjoyable lifestyle. Additionally, Long Tall Sally could be seen as a symbol of freedom and excitement. The singer may be urging others to embrace their true desires and live in the moment.

Line by Line Meaning

Gonna tell Aunt Mary about Uncle John
I am going to let Aunt Mary know about Uncle John

He claim he got the misery but he's havin' lots of fun, oh baby
He claims to be unhappy but he is having fun

Yea-a-ah, baby
Yes, baby

Ooh, ooh, ooh, baby
Wow, baby

Havin' me some fun tonight
I am having fun tonight

Well, long tall Sally she's built for speed
Long and tall Sally is fast and agile

She got everything that uncle John need, oh baby
She has everything Uncle John wants

Well, I saw Uncle John with bald-headed Sally
I saw Uncle John with a woman with no hair, Sally

He saw Aunt Mary coming and he ducked back in the alley, oh baby
He saw Aunt Mary coming and went back into the alley

Oh, baby
Oh, wow

You know, I saw Uncle John with bald-headed Sally
You know, I saw Uncle John with a woman with no hair, Sally